When I was a kid in Ireland, there were not very many black people. I was very much like the strange brown thing, intriguing and cute. I didn’t experience racism there. The first time I did was in London. It was that moment that you realize you’re black. A kind of lifting of the veil.

In the first part of her reflection, Ruth Negga speaks about her childhood experiences in Ireland where she encountered minimal racial diversity, describing herself as a "strange brown thing" that intrigued others but without facing any direct discrimination. It was only upon moving to London that she experienced racism for the first time and realized the significance of being identified as black.

The quote delves deeper into themes of identity and awareness, highlighting the moment when an individual becomes acutely conscious of their racial identity due to external factors like societal perceptions and discriminatory actions. Negga’s realization marks a pivotal shift in her understanding of herself within broader social contexts. This awakening is often accompanied by a sense of isolation or otherness, as she describes it metaphorically as "lifting the veil," indicating an unmasking of reality that reveals the complexities of race and identity.

Ruth Negga is an acclaimed Ethiopian-British-American actress known for her powerful performances in both film and television. She has garnered significant critical acclaim for roles such as Josephine Johnson in “Loving” (2016) and Aileen Wuornos in “I, Tonya” (2017). Born to an Irish mother and Ethiopian father, Negga’s unique cultural background informs her perspectives on identity and social issues, resonating with themes of inclusivity and the nuances of racial experience.